Alvin Epstein and Jeffrey Carlson will be lead players in Yale Repertory Theatre's Richard II. The production , directed by Evan Yionoulis , will run from September 21, with the opening set for September 27. The limited engagement will end on October 13. Announcement of the rest of the cast will be forthcoming.

Epstein will play John of Gaunt and Gardner. As Gaunt, he'll utter that noble panegyric on England,&ampquotThis royal throne of kings, this scept'red isle, This earth of majesty...&quot Epstein is a foundling member of Yale Rep. He recently appeared in the Berkshire Theatre Festival's production of One Flow Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Over the years, he's appeared in King Lear, Waiting for Godot, Endgame and The Cherry Orchard, among others.

Carlson will play Richard II in the Bard's play, written in 1595. On Broadway, Carlson has appeared in Taboo, The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? and Tartuffe. Most recently, he appeared in the Washington D.C. Shakespeare Theatre Company's production of Hamlet, playing the title role. Other theatre appearances include Bach at Leipzig, Manuscript and Last Easter.